Calls for hip-hop collective Odd Future to be removed from a festival line-up this weekend have been successful.
A tweet from Tyler the Creator, a member of the group, this afternoon suggested that Odd Future had been “banned from New Zealand” upon arrival to play at the Rapture 2014 festival, taking place at Western Springs Stadium on Saturday.
OF IS BANNED FROM NEW ZEALAND, AGAIN. THEY SAID WE WERE 'TERRORIST THREATS AND BAD FOR THE SOCIETY' OR WHATEVER. SICK. THEY ARE ANTI GOLF
— Tyler, The Creator (@fucktyler) February 13, 2014
Festival organisers have not yet confirmed the line-up change, or responded to our request for comment. But Paul Rosenberg, the manager of Rapture headliner Eminem, confirmed that Odd Future had been pulled on Twitter:
Very unfortunate decision by NZ immigration to withdraw Odd Future's travel visas- while they were on the way to the airport.
— Paul Rosenberg (@rosenberg) February 13, 2014
We do not support any decisions by government agencies or otherwise that result in the suppression of any form of artistic expression.
— Paul Rosenberg (@rosenberg) February 13, 2014
Immigration New Zealand said in a statement to the New Zealand Herald:
The Immigration Act 2009 provides that entry permission may not be granted where there is reason to believe there is, or is likely to be, a threat or risk to public order or the public interest.
Odd Future has been deemed to be a potential threat to public order and the public interest for several reasons, including incidents at past performances in which they have incited violence. In one instance, a police officer was hospitalised following a riot incited by Odd Future.
The Auckland Council made moves to remove Odd Future from the bill following a request from the Stop Demand Foundation, which addresses the demand fuelling the global sex trade, that pressure be put on Regional Facilities Auckland, the council organisation that operates the venue.
Foundation spokesperson Denise Ritchie told Radio New Zealand the group shouldn't be allowed to perform at the all-ages event.
"If you listen to a cross-section of their songs their lyrics are littered with rape, enjoyment of rape, butchering and murdering women. It would be at the most extreme level of vitriol and hatred towards women."
Deputy mayor Penny Hulse said earlier today the lyrics are vile and she would prefer that the group didn't perform.
Odd Future was a last-minute addition to the festival after Grammy nominee Kendrick Lamar pulled out.
The group had been due to perform at the Big Day Out in 2011, but withdrew after complaints over their lyrics. However, Earl Sweatshirt and other members of the collective performed at Laneway festival in Auckland and a subsequent sideshow in Wellington earlier this month without protest.
